Interviews of all kinds can be intimidating, but meeting with a representative of the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may be one of the most nerve wracking. There is a lot on the line when seeking citizenship, so it is important to be prepared.
However, it is also equally important to remember that the government agency is there to process your application, and has rules they must follow. If the questioning seems difficult, it is not because they have anything against you personally.
They are simply trying to determine if there is anything in your life that would prevent you from meeting the requirements for acceptance. Therefore it is important that you understand what to expect, what questions you are likely to hear, and how best to answer.
What to Expect at the Immigration Interview
You want to make sure that you have everything you need when you arrive, otherwise you may need to reschedule the interview and wait many more months. Therefore you will want to bring copies of all your paperwork, as well as your original identification documents. This is especially important as they can be referenced n the spot if any of the paperwork is missing information was filled out incorrectly. The officer may question you as to the details on these documents, so simply remain calm and answer all questions to the best of your ability.
You may be separated from your spouse or family members during the immigration interview. This is entirely within their authority and should be expected. If you feel that you will have any problems answering or understanding the line of questioning, you are allowed to bring an interpreter and/or an immigration attorney.
It is perfectly acceptable to ask them to rephrase a question which you do not understand, but do not argue with or get agitated with a government representative. You should never lie during an immigration interview. If there is a situation which you feel may be detrimental to your case and you aren’t sure how to handle it, discuss it with your attorney before the interview. Never just hope that it will not come up.
As with any interview, you want to make a good impression. Be sure that you arrive on time for the interview, and that you are appropriately dressed.
Although you may not see the relevance of a question asked of you, do not argue with the USCIS representative regarding if a question is inappropriate. It is highly likely that they have every right to ask the question, and you will appear as if you are trying to hide something if you get offended. If your immigration attorney is with you, they will advise you as to any questions which you do not need to answer, if any.
Remember: Answer only the questions asked of you, and to avoid acting too friendly with the USCIS representative. Joking about immigration laws or illegal activity is never appropriate.
Your immigration interview is a very important event. Although we do not wish you to be scared of this interview, it is important to be prepared. Having an immigration attorney on your side – especially one who speaks your language – will provide you with the peace of mind you will need going into the process.
Your immigration attorney can help you prepare, practice questions and answers with you, and be by your side to represent you through tough questioning. If you are in the Sarasota or Tampa area and have any questions regarding your upcoming immigration interview or the status of your application, the law firm of Probinsky & Cole are here to help.
